Don't forget to show up for you.

 Let me start by saying this may be a trigger post.  If you have problems with self accountability or  holding others accountable then maybe this post isn't for you.  

I called the last season of my life "My Season of Selfishness." I soooo wanted to be present in this season! I wanted to put MYSELF first and others after. I wanted to give myself the peace that I thought no one else could provide.  But time after time God showed me that THIS Season wasn't mine to name and HE was in total control.  Did I STILL progress during this season?  I absolutely did.  I learned things about myself that I didn't know.  I learned that the more time I gave God- the more answers HE gave ME.  

Now... this season...the season I won't dare name because I've learned that I don't control anything! lol This season keeps reminding me that it's okay to show up for others as long as I'm showing up for ME MORE! You hear me?! Trust me when I say, it's easy to lose yourself.  It's easy to cater to everyone else...you want everyone else to win so you're pushing and showing up for them while you're drowning alone.  People are picking and choosing when they wanna show up for you...IF they even show up.  And what do you do in return? I'll tell you what...NOTHING.  You continue on like you don't see it...

Then what happens? You get to a point where you're worn.  Your mind and body have just about tapped out.  You're crying and confused because you can't figure out how you got to this point.  You feel like you've done everything you could possibly do....turned the other cheek...gave continual outpouring of help and love.  Still....you come up empty.  Why? You FORGOT to show up for YOURSELF.

I don't care what ANYBODY tells you, DON'T NOBODY LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU LOVE YOURSELF.  That's facts! Your self esteem may be low...you  may be blinded by your love of others...but Baby, the moment you start to LOVE YOURSELF, that's when you start to grow! 

You can't tell me NOTHING about NOT SHOWING UP for me! I've been the one extending myself until I no longer recognized myself. I've been the one that took the high road and came out short. I've been the one stressing on someone else's issues while neglecting mine....Uhhh NO THANK YOU, I'm good on returning to that level. 

Showing up for you means the realization that, this isn't a phase, it's a journey. It means, if I say NO, I mean NO. It means, if you make me uncomfortable, not only will you know...but you will also not get the chance to do it again.  It means just like I have expectations of ME, I have expectations of YOU as well.... I'm doing whatever it takes to make me better. To GIVE the best version of yourself, you have to BE the best version of yourself and I'm holding ME accountable.  

I don't know how many ways I can say, don't forget to Show Up for you. So don't forget okay? 

...Extend some Grace.  Share some Love. and Let's A.C.E. (Affirm, change, elevate) 2024!

~S.He Stingss